She had barely managed to maintain her composure. Sitting at the table with them felt suffocating, a constant strain on her endurance. Until now, she had skillfully avoided such encounters, but her duty demanded otherwise. The meetings, always so brief, were an ordeal. Duchess Elizabeth's face, with its persistent kindness and affection, was a source of discomfort she could not ignore. The Duchess's attempts to bridge the emotional distance between them were met with her own efforts to keep away.

“When will she concede and adopt a more detached demeanor? I find myself increasingly weary.” She glanced around, feeling the distance from the royal garden’s oppressive opulence. The extravagance of royalty was a burden, suffocating in its splendor. She settled onto a bench beside the stony pathway. “I must maintain control over my emotions, especially in their presence.”

She took a long breath, trying to steady her uneven breathing. Although she was meant to return to the ward, she needed this moment of respite. Her fingers were numb, her palms damp with sweat. Leaning back on the bench, she closed her eyes and sought solace in her surroundings. The cold wind intensified, heralding the approach of winter. The season, though bringing a potential worsening of the epidemic, also brought a serene beauty. The wind rustled through the trees, and the chill, though biting, was enveloping in its isolation. It provided a reprieve, a chance to dissociate from her troubles and escape reality.

The distant palace buildings, bathed in yellow and golden light, stood out against the darkening evening sky. This contrast, the vibrant lights against the deepening dusk, painted a scene of poignant beauty. She surrendered to this view, feeling an enveloping sense of comfort, a brief but profound relief from her turmoil.

“I just need to quiet my mind and everything will be manageable,” she mused, taking one last deep breath.

Rising from the bench, she began her walk toward the hospital. There was no room for distraction. Despite her desire to retreat into isolation, she knew she had a responsibility to fulfill. Her inclination to evade reality had to be set aside.

“Get out of your head and face reality. You can do this, no, you must do this,” she mentally told herself. Shaking her head to dispel lingering distractions, she resumed her path with towards the hospital.